I am watching one of the Malay traditional dances as I’m blogging. It is called the Zapin. Its beautifully choreographed move originates from the Middle east. This dance was traditionally danced by men, but now female dancers make it look complete.
But as I watched them glide on the dancefloor, something hit me in the brain. I realised how easily Malay adopts different cultures, practices and even beliefs from foreign lands.
Zapin was just an example. What about Joget? A dance from the Portuguese. Musical instruments? We have accordian and violin as essentials. Ghazal is from India.
Let’s talk about our culture and practices, which for your information, are very closely related to our beliefs. During pre-islamic times, our forefathers were Hindus. Many practices were taken from the Indians who brought Hinduism into our land.
Take wedding celebrations for example. From Adat Berinai to Bersanding, it is full of practices from Hinduism.
When Islam came, our forefathers embraced it and not to forget, MiddleEastern cultures.
Our way of writing is another good example that I really must bring up. We had Sanskrit, then Jawi. And now Roman alphabets.
My point is, dear readers, will Malay continue adopting foreign cultures till God knows when?
We’ve seen our young boys and girls doing hiphop routines.
Well, I think it should stop somewhere. For good. It is never wrong adapting with the world arould us. But adopting?
Oh by the way, Mummy cooked her new recipe today, black pepper beef. Although it tastes too much like her Kuah Kicap, I still appreciate her effort. Nice try, Mummy!
That is all I have to say.
ps: Myth is a female moth?
